Flying saucer toy



Dec. 12, 1961 -r 3,012,369

FLYING SAUCER TOY Filed March 17, 1958 INVENTOR B QM 497 45 1 6r 4ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,012,369 FLYING SAUCER TOY Robert T.West, 5049 Woodlawn Blvd., Minneapolis 17, Minn. Filed Mar. 17, 1958,Ser. No. 722,090 Claims. (Cl. 46238) This invention relates to animprovement in flying saucer toys wherein it is desired to provide a toycreating an unusual illusion when in use.

During recent years there has been much talk about so called flyingsaucers which have been repeatedly reported soaring in the atmosphereover the earth. The present device comprises a toy which may be used asan ornament or paper weight and which incorporates a circular objectcapable of soaring into the air and decending to a platform uponoperation of the toy.

In a preferred form of my construction, the toy comprises a saucershaped object incorporating one or more magnets concealed within theobject or attached to the under surface thereof. The object is supportedupon a rotatable member by guide means which extend through angularlyspaced portions of the disc to hold the disc from rotation relative tothe rotatable member. Mounted in fixed relation to the rotatable member,and beneath the disc, are one or more magnets arranged with uppermostsides which are of similar polarity as the under surfaces of the magnetsincorporated within the disc. The magnets in the disc and in the baseare so arranged to move into or out of vertical relation upon rotationof the rotatable member. move beneath the magnets on the rotatablemember, a repelling action is created which raises the disc out ofcontact with the base and supporting member. When the magnets on thebase are not in position beneath the magnets of the disc, the discdescends. For example, if the disc is provided with two magnets indiametrically opposed relation, and if the base is provided with asimilar pair of magnets in diametrically opposed relation, the disc willhover in spaced relation to the rotatable member when the magnets in thedisc are above the magnets in the base and will gradually descend ontothe rotatable member when the rotatable member is rotated 90 degrees.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that one or moreobjects representing flying saucers may also be mounted upon a rotatablemember which moves over one or more fixed magnets. In this arrangement,the objects representing the flying saucers are mounted oifset from thecenter of rotation of the rotatable member and the fixed magnet ormagnets may be located beneath the rotatable member and at a similarradius from the center of rotation of the rotatable member. Thus, as therotatable member is turned, the disc shaped objects will rise from therotatable member and soar in the air above the fixed magnet.

A further feature of this latter form of construction of my inventionlies in the fact that a series of magnets may be arranged in angularlyspaced relation in the path over which the objects representing flyingsaucers may move and in sinking the magnets at varying levels 'beneaththe surface of the rotatable member. By an arrangement of this type, oneor a series of objects representing flying saucers may be caused to movegradually from the surface of the rotatable member and soar in the airduring a portion of the circular motion of the rotary member and thenmay be caused to gradually descend to rest upon the surface of therotatable member during the remainder of the circular movement.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification andclaims.

When the magnets on the base- 3,012,369 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 In thedrawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a cross sectional view through a magnetic toy showing thegeneral arrangement of parts therein.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on a horizontal plane through the toyillustrated in FIGURE 1, the position of the section being indicated bythe line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of toy.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the toy illustrated inFIGURE 3, the position of the section being indicated by the line 4--4of FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate a toy A which is of a simpleform. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the toy A includes agenerally cylindrical base 10 having a relatively larger diameter lowerportion 11 and a relatively smaller diameter upper portion 12. A ring 13encircles the smaller diameter portion 12 and in the arrangementillustrated is of the same outside diameter as the large diameterportion 11. The small diameter portion 12 of the base is provided with aperipheral groove 14 extending into its surface. One or more pins 15 orsimilar fastening means extend through the ring 13 and into the groove14 to attach the two parts together.

A pair of magnets 16 are embedded in the upper portion 12 of the base10, these magnets 16 being in diametrically opposed relation about thecenter of the base. A pair of small diameter wires or pins 17 extendinto the upper surface of the ring 13 in diametrically opposed vrelation to the center of the ring. These pins 17 act to hold the object19 representing a flying saucer from rotation relative to the ring 13.

The object 19 is provided with a central dome shaped portion 20 having aperipheral flange 21 at its lower extremity. A smaller diameter ringshaped member 22 may encircle a portion of the dome 20 and .a disc 23 isprovided at the top of the dome. Obviously, the shape of the objectrepresenting the flying saucer may be varied in design and construction.However, the object is preferably, made of non-magnetic material.

A pair of magnets 24 are cemented or otherwise secured to the undersideof the dome 20 inwardly of the brim 21. These magnets 24 are arrangedwith their undersurface polarized similarly to the upper surfaces of themagnets 16. As a result, when the magnets 24 are directly above themagnets 16, the repelling action will raise the magnets 24 and theobject 19 to which they are attached upwardly into spaced relation tothe base. On the other hand, as the magnets 24 are rotated into rightangular relation to the magnets 16 as indicated in FIGURE 2 of thedrawings, the weight of the object 19 and the magnets 24 attachedthereto will cause the objects to drop into contact with the base.

A dome shaped transparent cover 25 of plastic or other suitable materialis 'frictionally fit or otherwise secured to the ring 13 and overliesthe object 19 and the g ide pins 17. In actual practice, the interiorsurface of this dome is decorated to provide a landscape, and the uppersurfaces of the ring 13 and base portion '12 are also decorated. Thus,as the ring 13 is rotated, the object 19 gradually lifts from its baseand hovers in the air, producing a very novel and unusual effect. Due tothe small size or diameter of the pins 17, they are virtuallyunnoticeable and as they are arranged on diametrically opposite sides ofthe body 19, and due to the fact that the openings 26 in the ring 21 aresomewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of the pins 17, the objectmay tilt and flutter in a very lifelike manner.

In FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, a somewhat difierent embodiment ofthe same principle is disclosed. The toy B is shown as having a base 27provided with 3 a large diameter lower portion 29 and a smaller diameterportion 30. A ring 31 encircles the small diameter base portion 36 andthe outer surface of the ring preferably forms a continuation of theouter surface of the lower portion 29 of the base. A groove 32. is'provided in the periphery of the small diameter portion 31 and pins suchas 33 extend through the ring 31 and into the groove 32 to hold the ringand base assembled.

A thin base plate or disc 34 of non-magnetic material is secured to thering by screws 35 or other suitable fastening means and overlies theupper surface of the base portion 30. The disc 34 may or may not becontinuous and may comprise merely a ring of material leaving the centerportion of the base visible.

A plurality of pairs of pins 36 extend upwardly from the disc 34. Eachpair of pins 36 are 'angularly spaced from each additional pair and thecenter point between the pins of each pair is at a common radius fromthe center of rotation. In the particular arrangement illustrated, thepins are radially spaced and the inner and outer pin of each pair areradially spaced objects such as 37, each being designedto represent aflying saucer or space ship, are slidablysupported on each pair of pins.Each of the objects 37 includes a dome shaped top portion 39 and ahorizontal encircling flange or rim 40 through which the pins 36 extend.The pins 36 are preferably on diametrically opposite sides of the axisof the dome 39. The apertures through which the pins 36 extend are ofsufficiently greater diameter than the diameter of the pins so that eachof the objects 37 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposedmagnets 41 attached to their undersurface's in any suitable way. Thedetail arrangement of the objects 37 may be varied considerably and areshown generally similar to the objects 19 shown in FIGURE 1. r

A series of magnets are embedded in the base 27. These magnets arepreferably embedded in the base 27 at difierent depths. The magnets maybe actually cast into a base formed of non-magnetic material or may beinserted into suitable apertures formed in the upper surface of thebase. In the particular arrangement illustrated, tWo intermediatemag'net-s of the series indicated at 42 are wedged in apertures 43 inthe upper surface of the 'base 21 so that their upper surfaces aresubstantially flush with the upper surface of the base. The magnets 44on opposite sides of the central magnet 42 are wedged into apertures '45which are slightly deeper than the apertures 43 so that the uppersurfaces of the magnets 44 are slightly below the top surface of thebase. Magnets 46 are arranged outwardly of the magnets 44 and are wedgedin apertures 47 slightly deeper than theapertures so that the uppersurfaces of the magnets 46 are below the level of the upper surfaces ofthe magnets 44. Magnets 49 are arranged outwardly of the magnets 46 andare inserted in apertures 50 to a depth greater than the depth of. theapertures 47 so that the upper ends 'of the magnets are below the levelof the upper ends of the magnets 46. The outermost magnets 51 arerecessed in apertures 52 deeper than the recesses 50 so that the uppersurfaces of the magnets 51 are below the level of the upper surfaces ofthe magnets 49.

All of the magnets 42, 44, 46, 49 and 51 are arranged with similar polesuppermost. The upper ends of these poles are of similar polarity to thelower ends of the magnets 41 in the objects 37. i As a result, as theobjects 37 rotate over the various magnets embedded in the base, arepelling action is created which causes the various ob ects to liftfrom the surface of the disc 34. Due to the fact that the repellingforce is proportional to the distance between the magnets in the baseand the magnets in the lects 37, the various objects will rise graduallyto assume their greatest height when over the intermedii g ets 42 andthen the objects will gradually lower onto the surface of the disc asrotation. continues.

A dome 53 similar to the dome 25 i m g l y cured to the ring 31 torotate in unison therewith. This dome 53 is preferably of transparentplastic or glass and may be internally decorated to provide a sceniceffect. if preferred, the center portion 54 of the disc 34 may be cutaway to provide a fixed center portion which may also be decorated toprovide a fixed area about which the various objects move. For example,the center portion of the base which is exposed through the open center54 of the ring 34 may be painted to represent a lake or body of Watersurrounded by representations of trees or the like and as a result, therotation of the ring 31 provides an illusion of a series of flyingsaucers or space ships taking off from the groundone after another,soaring in the air, and then coming to earth again. By varying thedepths of the various magnets, the objects may be caused to dipintermediate their flight 0r tormse or drop more suddenly so as toproduce anysimilar desired effect.

In using either embodiment A or B the child will place the base 10 orf27on a flat surface. Inasmuch as most of the area rotatable relative thebase 10 or 27 is provided by the transparent cover 25 or 53, as the casemay be, the user will usually press his fingers against the cover andthen produce a twisting thereof. The soaring of the object 19 or theobjects 37 automatically ensues, or at least such an illusion is presentfor the pins 17 are virtually unnoticeable, especially when moving.

While the various objects have been described as being similar in form,it is obvious that if preferred, the objects may be somewhat differentlyshaped or may be differently colored to provide a variation in' theshape and form. In constructing the objects, it is only necessary thatthe objects be light in weight and be of sufiicient size to slide uponthe pins. If the various objects are to follow a similar path, it isalso desirable that they be of substantially, equal weight and that themagnets in each be of substantially equal strength.

In accordance with the patent statues, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my improvement in flying saucer toys,and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, Idesire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scopeof the following claims without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

I claim:

1. A magnetic toy including a base, a ring rotatably supported upon saidbase, a pair of spaced parallel pins mounted on said ring and rotatabletherewith, an object having a pair of apertures therein so that saidobject is slidably supported by said spaced pins for movement toward andaway from said base, magnet means secured to said object, and magnetmeans secured to said base and over which said magnet means in saidobject may move upon rotation of said ring relative to said base, theundersurface of said magnet means in said object and the upper surfaceof said magnet on said base being of similar polarity and parallel toeach other to provide a repelling force therebetween, whereby, uponmovement of said magnet means on said object over said magnet on saidbase, said object will be repelled upwardly on said pins.

2. The construction described in claim 1 and in which said pins arepositioned on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of rotation ofsaid ring.

3. A magnetic toy including a'base, a ring rotatably supported by saidbase, a pairof guide pins extending upwardly on diametrically oppositesides of said base, an object having a laterally extending flangeprovided with a pair of spaced apertures for encircling said pins sothat said object is slidably supported on said pins for movement towardand away from said base, a pair of magnets secured to said object ondiametrically opposite sides of the axis of said ring, and a pair ofmagnets on said base on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of saidring, the lower ends of the magnets on said object and the upper ends ofthe magnets on said base being of similar polarity to create a repellingforce, whereby upon rotation of said ring relative to said base, saidmagnets on said object are moved into and out of vertical alignment withsaid magnets in said base causing said object to move vertically as saidring rotates.

4. A magnetic toy including a base, a ring encircling said base androtatable relative thereto, an object supported by said ring, saidobject having a laterally extending flange provided with a pair ofspaced apertures, a pair of upright pins mounted on the ring andextending through said apertures for slidably supporting said object onsaid ring for movement of said object toward and away from said ring,magnet means secured to said object, and a series of magnets supportedby said base beneath the path of movement of said object upon rotationof said ring, the lower end of said magnet means in said object and theupper end of said magnets in said base being of similar polarity tocreate a repelling force therebetween, whereby movement of said objectover said magnets in said base Will cause said object to rise from saidbase.

5. The construction described in claim 4 and including a transparentdome secured to said ring and overlying said object and said pins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,947,920 Primrose Feb. 20, 1934 2,261,349 Edelman Nov. 4, 19412,323,837 Neal July 6, 1943

